eli5, While I would like a general answer, the concept that brought this question up was drywall compound, specifically “hot mud”. “five minute hot mud” sets in five minutes but takes longer to dry. What is the difference?
In: 4
Dry = The solvent has evaporated completely.
Set = It has hardened enough to hold its shape or in the case of a glue, it is functionally sticky to hold the bond together, but it is not at its full strength.
Cured = If the substance you’re using undergoes a chemical reaction, this means that the reaction is fully complete.
Some products dry, some cure, and some do both. If you can just mix the dried stuff with some solvent and then use it again, it dried and did not cure. For example, (if I understand how clay works correctly) if you use clay to make a bowl or something, you can let it dry, and it is still possible to turn it back into wet clay. However, once it is fired, it undergoes a reaction and is cured. then it is not possible to turn it back into wet clay.
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